Opinion on engine pinging...
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Opinion on engine pinging...
Howdy folks. Read the signature for truck info.
I just recently fixed my A/C which makes me happy. The only downside is, whenever I accelerate now around the 2600-3500 RPM range, it pings like crazy when the compressor is running. It still does it when it's not running, but not as bad. I can actually control the pinging by pushing the gas further in or letting off. I guess it's hard to explain. If it's not pinging, and I open the throttle up just a tab bit more, it will ping once and then stop until I move the pedal again. Like I said, hard to explain.
But with it getting warmer out, when the fan kicks on, and the A/C is running, it will ping at a lower RPM. I don't know if I should run a tank of good 93 octane fuel through it, or what. I've never touched the timing. BTW, this has the Districutorless Ignition system, so ignition timing is computer controlled. Any tips here folks? Thanks for your help!
I just recently fixed my A/C which makes me happy. The only downside is, whenever I accelerate now around the 2600-3500 RPM range, it pings like crazy when the compressor is running. It still does it when it's not running, but not as bad. I can actually control the pinging by pushing the gas further in or letting off. I guess it's hard to explain. If it's not pinging, and I open the throttle up just a tab bit more, it will ping once and then stop until I move the pedal again. Like I said, hard to explain.
But with it getting warmer out, when the fan kicks on, and the A/C is running, it will ping at a lower RPM. I don't know if I should run a tank of good 93 octane fuel through it, or what. I've never touched the timing. BTW, this has the Districutorless Ignition system, so ignition timing is computer controlled. Any tips here folks? Thanks for your help!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 769
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From: Moneta, VA
My '95 did the exact same thing. I know exactly what you are talking about. I always used to have to run 89 octane, and it would still do it some. 93 Octane was the only complete cure at the time. When I had my ignition problems last month, something fixed it. It now runs on 87 again. Here is a list of what I did:
New Ford Coil Packs
New Crankshaft Position Sensor
New PCM (ECM on a 1991, not sure if they can reprogram it)
Before I replaced the PCM, Ford flashed it and that took care of the pinging. It didn't, however, take care of the CEL I was getting and the PCM ended up being bad.
What octane are you currently running?
New Ford Coil Packs
New Crankshaft Position Sensor
New PCM (ECM on a 1991, not sure if they can reprogram it)
Before I replaced the PCM, Ford flashed it and that took care of the pinging. It didn't, however, take care of the CEL I was getting and the PCM ended up being bad.
What octane are you currently running?
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Thanks for the rapid response!
I currently run 87 octane. I figured it was just the engine getting worn out which is a good possibility! lol.
How much will Ford charge to flash my computer, if they even can at all. Is that something only they can do? Guess I'm clueless in that department.
I have recently put gently used coil packs on, but nothing beats new in most cases. I'll look into that. The plan however is to replace the engine soon anyways once I get my F-150 up and running again. I just don't have anything else to drive currently to put the new engine in. I guess new coil packs and a new crank sensor wouldnt hurt anyways. I could just use it on the engine I'm putting in.
I will try the 93 octane first just to make sure I know that it is for sure pinging. With as many miles at it has, I guess it could be anything!
I currently run 87 octane. I figured it was just the engine getting worn out which is a good possibility! lol.
How much will Ford charge to flash my computer, if they even can at all. Is that something only they can do? Guess I'm clueless in that department.
I have recently put gently used coil packs on, but nothing beats new in most cases. I'll look into that. The plan however is to replace the engine soon anyways once I get my F-150 up and running again. I just don't have anything else to drive currently to put the new engine in. I guess new coil packs and a new crank sensor wouldnt hurt anyways. I could just use it on the engine I'm putting in.
I will try the 93 octane first just to make sure I know that it is for sure pinging. With as many miles at it has, I guess it could be anything!
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
No vaccuum leaks that I know of. It idles just fine, so I'm guessing it doesn't have a vaccuum problem.
On a side not, I forgot to add that it only does it on warm days when it's dry outside. When it's cold and moist outside, I have no pinging.
On a side not, I forgot to add that it only does it on warm days when it's dry outside. When it's cold and moist outside, I have no pinging.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
A little update here...
I ran the tank clear down past Exercise.... and put a tank full of Premium in it (Regular was $2.63 and premium was $2.83, so I figured what the hell, I'm used to paying 2.80 for regular anyways!) So far, no pinging whatsoever. A lot more throttle response even between 3000-3500 RPM. Before if you mashed it around those RPM's, have fun getting anywhere, because you werent. Now it moves.
So my thanks to Tiggie for the suggestion of a higher octane fuel. Now if only I can get it to run great off of 87 again...
I ran the tank clear down past Exercise.... and put a tank full of Premium in it (Regular was $2.63 and premium was $2.83, so I figured what the hell, I'm used to paying 2.80 for regular anyways!) So far, no pinging whatsoever. A lot more throttle response even between 3000-3500 RPM. Before if you mashed it around those RPM's, have fun getting anywhere, because you werent. Now it moves.
So my thanks to Tiggie for the suggestion of a higher octane fuel. Now if only I can get it to run great off of 87 again...
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Yes
Excessive carbon deposits can cause pre-detonation as well, by effectively raising the compression ratio with the displacement the mass of the carbon causes. I'd try cleaning the MAF, make sure you have the correct plug and that it is gapped correctly, and you may even check cam timing. How new is your thermostat, and how often is it changed. A cold running engine is more prone to carbon buildup, so this could play a factor. I'd try running some sea foam through the intake, it's something that has always been effective for me. And someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the knock sensor is supposed to detect pre-detonation...
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
It wouldnt suprise me if it has a lot of carbon deposits. The MAF casing is broke, but it doesn't throw a check engine light, so I assumed it's ok? Maybe I should change it anyways...
The plugs/wires were just changed and gapped correctly. I've learned with these engines, cheap plugs work better. I put some Bosch platinums with the 4 thingys and it ran like crap.
The thermostat is 2 years old (changed it 2 years ago today... same day my buddy died in a car wreck... thats how I remember), but it warms up very quickly. Within a mile it is close to being in the normal temperature range.
Actually I just ran seafoam through the intake. However, I did not run it again afterwards to get loose carbon particles out. I also didn't check the plugs after I did it. I've heard they can foul after using that stuff, but I've personally never had that problem. The truck runs good otherwise, and is now running incredible off of Premium (93 octane.)
I'll take a look at my Ford Bible and see where the knock sensor is.... if there even is one. Last time I looked for the part on the Napa website, nothing was shown. I'll look at let ya know.
The plugs/wires were just changed and gapped correctly. I've learned with these engines, cheap plugs work better. I put some Bosch platinums with the 4 thingys and it ran like crap.
The thermostat is 2 years old (changed it 2 years ago today... same day my buddy died in a car wreck... thats how I remember), but it warms up very quickly. Within a mile it is close to being in the normal temperature range.
Actually I just ran seafoam through the intake. However, I did not run it again afterwards to get loose carbon particles out. I also didn't check the plugs after I did it. I've heard they can foul after using that stuff, but I've personally never had that problem. The truck runs good otherwise, and is now running incredible off of Premium (93 octane.)
I'll take a look at my Ford Bible and see where the knock sensor is.... if there even is one. Last time I looked for the part on the Napa website, nothing was shown. I'll look at let ya know.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by handyman43358
Now if only I can get it to run great off of 87 again...
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
You can have a small vac leak and with the electronic management system, it will compensate and idle fine. Also, a vac leak can cause flat spots at mid rpm operation. I've noted in some of my past posts what can happen when a bunch of cleaner is dumped down an intake. It sends all the dirt and carbon down onto the plugs and results in a conductive coating on the plugs that results in several things possibly happening. Poor idle, lack of power, bad mileage, won't pass emissions, surges/hesitation at higher engine speeds all come to mind. How do I know this? Been there, done that more than once.
The truck runs fine nevertheless. Not any different than it did a year ago, or 3 years ago except for the pinging when ran with 87 gas. Now that it has 93, there is no pinging, and it has a little bit better throttle response at a higer RPM thanks to it not pinging.
I'm thinking I will just buy the 93 until I get my F-150 up and running again, so I can drive it while I replace the engine in my Ranger. I think almost 318,000 miles is more than plenty! Still going to shoot for the 325,000 miles mark though! When I put the other engine in, it's going to get new electronics in terms of the DIS Module, both coil packs, crank sensor, and whatever else I can think of on a later date.
Bdox... Water trick? How do ya mean?
Last edited by handyman43358; May 3, 2006 at 06:43 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
De-carbonizing using water.
Run the engine about 2,000 rpm and feed about a pint of water into the intake using any vacuum hose that goes directly into the manifold. You have to keep a hand on the throttle to maintain the rpm while the water feeds in, just be careful not to feed it so fast that there is a danger of any real quantity of liquid reaching the cylinders. It's a steam cleaning job and it really works to get the carbon out. I used to do it all the time before pulling cylinder heads because it saves so much parts cleaning effort.
You will see the junk blowing out the exhaust. Keep kids and pets clear.
Run the engine about 2,000 rpm and feed about a pint of water into the intake using any vacuum hose that goes directly into the manifold. You have to keep a hand on the throttle to maintain the rpm while the water feeds in, just be careful not to feed it so fast that there is a danger of any real quantity of liquid reaching the cylinders. It's a steam cleaning job and it really works to get the carbon out. I used to do it all the time before pulling cylinder heads because it saves so much parts cleaning effort.
You will see the junk blowing out the exhaust. Keep kids and pets clear.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Oh wow. I always said my ranger would probably run off water. Time to try it I guess.
So basically, this is going to be just like applying seafoam... only a little slower, and with water of course? Any chance on majorly screwing things up?
So basically, this is going to be just like applying seafoam... only a little slower, and with water of course? Any chance on majorly screwing things up?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
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From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
If there were a significant amount of carbon buildup and you did it too rapidly I suppose it could have adverse effects on the catalytic converter. I have not known it to happen but maybe I've been lucky. I really can't say what the chances are.